Direction-indicator for vehicles.



I W. W. BELL. L

DIRECTION LNDICATOR FOR VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 16, 1914.

1,18,834. Patented May11,1915.

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W. W. BELL.

DIRECTION INDICATOR FOR VEHICLES.

' APPLICATION FILED MAR. 16, I914.

Patent-ed May 11, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- "IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIII I IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIV/IIIIII WITNESSES:

WILLIAM W. BELL, F ALA'MEDLA, CALIFORNIA.

DIRECTION-INDIGATOR FOR VEHICLES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 11, 1915.

Application filed March 16, 1914. Serial No. 824,906.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM W. BELL, a citizen of the United States,residing at Alameda, in the county of Alameda and State of California,have invented newand useful. Improvements r-in Direction- Indicators forVehicles, of which the following is a specification. i I

This invention relates to improvements in direction indicators forvehicles and the like. The object of the invention is to provide simple,practicable and compact electrically operated mechanism of the characterdescribed -Wl1lCl1 is particularly adapted to be attached to the rear ofan automobile.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism which isautomatic in operation, and by which the direction of the car will beindicated to another car following in the rear.

Another object is to provide means for automatically breaking thecircuit to render the mechanism inoperative when the engine of the caris stopped.

Another object of the invention is genorally to improve this class ofapparatus so as to reduce the number of accidents and generally decreasethe difficulties of the traffic problem in crowded districts.

Further objects will hereinafter appear.

The invention consists of the parts and the construction and combinationof parts as hereinafter more fully described and claimed, havingreference to the accompanying drawing in which- Figure 1 is adiagrammatic view of the electrical circuits and connections by whichthe electromagnets of the direction indicat- 40 ing mechanism areoperated. Fig. 2 is a detail view of one of the electromagnets. Fig. 3-is a front view partly broken away showing the direction indicatingdevice. Fig. 4 is a plan section on line X-X, Fig. 3.,

Referring to'the drawings, A indicates a rectangularly shaped casingwhich is divided into upper and lower compartments 2 and 3, in the uppercompartment of which is formed a glass covered display opening 3 50Suitably secured in the lower compartment of the casing is a pluralityof angularly d-is posed solenoid magnets 4, 5 and'6, and pivotallymounted as at 7, 8 and 9 in juxtapositionwith relation to same are aplurality of 55 display plates 10, 11 and 12.

The several. signs shown are adapted t '6 as shown.

be elevated into the dotted line position shown at 13, or into registerwith display opening 3, and are provided for the purpose of displayingsuch words as Stop, Right and Left, or the like, which when raised intoregister with display opening 3 will immediately indicate to a carapproachingfrom the man the intended direction or movement of the cardisplaying the sign.

' Each magnet is provided with a movable core, as indicated at 14, 15and 16, and each core is in turn connected-through links 17, 18 and 19with lever extensions 20, 21 and 22 formed on the respective plates 4, 5and The weight of each display plate is just a little inexcess of, thecombined weight of the core and'link to which it is attached, and theplates will thus act as a counterweight to normally retract the coresfrom their respective magnets as indicated in Fig. 3. Means have howeverbeen provided for the purpose of balancing the weight between the platesand the connected movable cores. This is accomplished by forming apocket 23 in each core into which shot or like material indicated at 24may be placed for the purpose of securing the desired balance. The upperend of the pocket is covered by a movable plate 25, and this preventsthe counter-weighing material 24 p from being displaced or lost. Aperfect adj ustment between the movable cores and the display plates maythus be secured, and also makes it possible to vary the size and weightof the several parts. The downward movement of the several cores,together with the elevated position of their connected signs is in eachinstance regulated and adjusted by a set-screw 26 with which therespective cores engage when attracted by the coils.

The several magnets here shown are automatically operated for thepurpose of displaying the respective signs, and this is ac complished inthe following manner: Referring to Fig. 1, B indicates the steering postof a car, and 27 a lever arm which is secured to and movable with same.Suitably secured within the arc of travel of arm 27 is a pair offlexible contact, members 28 and 29, and similarly positioned withrela-. tion to the brake lever. C of the car is another flexible contactmemberBO. Magnet 4 is connected on .one side through wire 31 withcontact 29, and magnet 6 is connected on one side through wire 32withcontact 28.

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' The opposite terminals of the respective magnets are in turn connectedthrough a wire 33. Magnet 5 is connected on one side through wire 34with the positive side of a suitable form of battery, indicated at 35,and the opposite terminal of magnet 5 is connected through wire 36 withcontact member 30. The steering post B, together with the brake lever Cis connected through wires 37 and 38 respectively with one side of anautomatic circuit-breaker 53, hereinafter to be described, and the otherside of the circuit-breaker is connected through'wire 40 with thenegative side of the battery.

41 indicates in general a secondary circuitbreaker which consists of amagnet 42 and an armature 43. The armature here shown is slidablymounted on a pair of rods 44, and coil springs 45 surrounding the rodsare interposed between the magnet and the armature for the purpose ofnormally holding this in engagement with a pair of contact members 46and 47. Magnet 42 is connected on a shunt circuit through wires 48 and49with magnet 5, and contact member 46 is connected through wire 50 withwire 33, while contact member 47 is connected through wire 51 with wire34.

The function and operation of the secondary circuit-breaker justreferred to will later be described. The main circuitbreaker indicatedat 53 consists of a shaft 52 which may be direct connected with theengine of the car, indicated diagrammatically at D. Surrounding saidshaft, and insulated from same is a cylindrically shaped.

casing 53, and pivotally secured to shaft 52 as at 54 is a weightedlever 55, which is adapted to be thrown outwardly into contact with theinner surface of the cylindrical casing when shaft 52is revolving toform a circuit between wires 39 and 40, and, which is also adapted to beretracted to open-the circuit between said wires when the engine isstopped. This is accomplished by a spring 56 which isadapted to normallyretract the lever when the shaft is stationary. The circuit between thebattery and the several parts of the mechanism will thus be'automatically opened the moment the engine of the car is stopped, thusrendering the mechanism inoperative and preventing any waste of currentfrom battery 35. v

The operation of the device will be as follows: If the car istravelinstraight ahead no circuit will be closed, and displayed. The moment thedriver turns the wheel to the left, a circuit will immediately be'closedthrough post B, lever 27 contact 29, wire 31, magnet 4, wire 50, contact46, armature 43, contact 47, wires 51 and 34 to the battery. From thebattery the current will pass out through the negative side wire 40,casing 53, weighted lever 55, shaft 52 and wires 39 and 37 back tothepost. The circuit is thus closed through no sign will be magnet 4 whichenergizes same, causing core 14 to be retracted, thus transmittingmotlon through link 17 and lever 20 to raise plate 10 into displayposition, or in register with opening 3. The sign, or plate displayingthe word Left will remain in this posltion as long as the car is turningto the left, or as long as arm 27 is in engagement with contact 29. Thecircuit will, however, be open the moment arm 27 and contact 29 areseparated, which takes place the moment the car straightens out. Thecircuit is thus automatically opened, causing magnet 4 to bedeenergized. Core 14 is thus released and al- 'wire :40, casing 53,weighted lever 55, shaft 52, wire 39, wire 37, post B, arm 27, contact28, wire 32, magnet 6, wire 33, wire 50, contact 46, armature 43,contact 47 wire 51 and wire 34, which in turn returns to the battery.The circuit through magnet 6 thus established will elevate the platehaving Right printed thereon into register with display opening 3*, andthe plate will be allowed to drop into the lower part of the casing themoment magnet 6 becomes deenergized. The circuit magnet 5 for thepurpose of displaying the stop sign is closed the moment brake pedal Cis depressed in the direction of arrow at. This circuit can be traced asfollows: Commencing with the negative side of. the battery the currentpasses through wire40, casing 53, weighted lever 55, shaft 52, wire 39,wire 37 lever 0, contact 30, wire 36, magnet 5 and through wire 34 backtothe positive side of the battery. Magnet 5 is denergized, however, themoment the brake pedal is released, and the Stop sign is similarlyallowed to drop into the lower compartment of the casing raisingits'connected core into the position shown.

The circuit-breaking mechanism indicated at 41 is provided for thepurpose of releasing either the left or right display sign when it isdesired to stop the car while either. one. of these signs are beingdisplayed, for instance, supposing the car is turned to the ioo leftaround the corner and an obstruction is met which makes it necessary tostop the car could-not be accomplished if the Left display plate was notreleased. The automatic release of same is accomplished in thefolcircuit controlled by lever C and contact 80.

masses 'gagement with contact 29 and that the cir cuit is closed throughmagnet 4 which holds the display plate having Left marked thereon in theelevated position. An obstruction is met which necessitates the stoppingof the car. The brake-pedal C is consequently depressed in the directionof arrow a, and the will thus immediately be closed. Magnet 5 being onthis circuit is energized by the passage of current through same, andmagnet 42 being shunted on said circuit through wires-48 and 49 willalso be energized. The core of magnet 42 will conse uently attractarmature 43, thus opening t e circuit betweem-contacts 46 and 47. Thecircuit through magnet 4.can only be closed when armature 43 is inengagement with contacts 46 and 47. It can thus be seen that the momentarmature 43 is attracted by the core of magnet 42 the circuit throughmagnet 4 will immediately be opened and this will consequentlybecomedenergized, and permit the sign having Left displayed thereon to hereleased and dropped into the lower compartment of the casing. Theaction is similar when magnet 6 controlling the dis play sign havingRight marked thereon is energized. If the car is turning to the rightand the connected sign is displayed, and it is necessary or desirable tostop the car, it is immediately accomplished by the closing of thecircuit through magnet 5 through the medium of brake lever C and contact30. The circuit through magnet, 6 is broken through circuitsbreaker 41by the opening of the circuit through contacts 46 and 47.

It is thus impossible to display more than one sign at one time, and itis furthermore impossible to apply the brake lever and stop the carwhether traveling on the right-handcurve or the left-hand curve withoutdisplaying the stop sign. The vehicle fol1owing in the rear is thusgiven a warning, and collisions of any kind will be prevented.

The mechanism constructed as here shown is absolutely automatic inoperation; as the direction of the car actuates the sign-displayingmechanism, no thought or care on the part of the driver is necessary,"and the most positive result is secured.

The centrifugally actuated circuit-break ing mechanism, indicated at 53being directly connected to the engine, or operated or driven by same,will keep the circuits closed as long as the engine is running, but willimmediately open the circuit to the battery the moment the en he isstopped, as

spring 56 will immediate y attract the lever and break the circuitbetween shaft 52 and casing 53. I This will render the mechanisminoperative and prevent any unnecessary waste of current. It can easilybe understood that if a circuit-breaker or similar means is not providedit would'be possible that the driver might leave the car with the frontwheels slightly turned or the brake set. This would in either instance,close the c rcuit through the battery and leave some sign in the displayposition which is absolutely unnecessary, and might cause the battery torun down in a short time.

The pivotal mounting of the display signs, together with the weight ofsame eliminates the use of extra counterweights or retracting springs,thus simplifying the construction and reducing the cost of manufacture.

The materials and finish of the several parts of the mechanism mayotherwise be such as the experience and judgment of the manufacturer maydictate, and I wish it understood that various changes in form,proportions and minor details of construction may be. resorted to withinthe scope of the appended claims, and that I do not wish to limit myselfto the specific design and construction here shown.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is: p

1. The combination with a car, of a casing secured to the rear end ofsame, a .plurality of signs pivotally mounted in said casing, a solenoidmagnet connected to each sign, a source of current supply meansautomatically controlled by the steering and braking mechanism of thecar for closing a circuit through one or another of said magnets toraise the connectedsign into display position, said means operating toprevent the display of more than one sign at the time, and comprising acore magnet connected in shunt circuit with one of the solenoid magnets,an armature actuated by the core magnet, and a pair of contact memberswith which the armature is adapted to engage to open or close thecurrent through the other solenoid magnets.

2. The. combination with a car, of a oasing secured to the rear endofsame, a plurality of signs pivotally mounted in said casing, asolenoid magnet connected to each sign, a source of current supply meansauto- -matically controlled by the steering and braking mechanism of thecar for closing a circuit through one or another of said magnets toraise the connected sign into display position, said means operating toprevent the display of more than one s1gn at the time, and means foropening the circuit %III brake, and a single electrically energizablemeans common to and independent of and for controlling each of thedirection signals whereby upon each operation of the stop signal saidsingle means will be actuated to open the circuit through either of saiddirection signals.

4. In combination with a car and a series of signs, a solenoid magnetfor operating each sign, and means controlled by the steering andbraking mechanism for closing a circuit through said magnets to move thesign thereof to display position and to prevent the display of more thanone sign at a time including ,a core magnet connected in shunt circuitwith one of the solenoid magnets, an armature actuated by the coremagnet, and a pair of contacts with which the armature isadapted toengage to open or close the circuit through the solenoid magnets. 1

" signals, solenoid magnets for actuating said signals by movement ofthe steering mechanism, a stop signal, a solenoid magnet for actuatingthe stop signal by movement of the car brake mechanism, and electricallyenergizable means common to and independent of the direction signalmagnets and operated upon energization of the stop signal magnet to openthe circuit through both of said direction signal magnets, said circuitbreaker being independent of the circuit closing means.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand-in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses. V

WILLIAM W. BELL.

Witnesses JOHN H. HERRING, W. W. HEALEY.'

